Final answer:
The Bobo doll experiment by Albert Bandura demonstrated the power of observational learning in children, and how they imitate both aggressive and non-aggressive behaviors seen in adult models. The correct answer is D.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Bobo doll experiment conducted by Albert Bandura is a significant study in the field of psychology regarding observational learning. The experiment sought to understand the mechanisms behind children imitating aggressive behavior exhibited by adults. When children observed an adult model being aggressive towards a Bobo doll, and when the adult's behavior was neither punished nor discouraged, the children were more likely to imitate that aggressive behavior themselves.
This experiment revealed the strong impact of models on the learning process of children, highlighting the effects of both prosocial and antisocial behavior through observational learning. The mechanism behind such imitation involves mirror neurons, a type of brain cell that is activated both when an individual performs an action and when they observe the same action performed by someone else. This neuronal basis of observational learning suggests we are wired to learn from others, a process that has critical implications for social behavior and education.
Further research on mirror neurons has extended understanding of the neurobiological underpinnings of learning and has been particularly influential in exploring the roots of language acquisition, empathy, and the development of social skills. The Bobo doll experiment and the findings on mirror neurons together illustrate the deep and intrinsic nature of learning through observation, which plays a crucial role in shaping human behavior from a very young age.